Mine survivor improves

Encouraging signs for mine survivor

Associated Press

Published 6:30 am, Saturday, January 28, 2006

MORGANTOWN, W.VA. - With a little help, the sole survivor of the Sago Mine disaster stood for the first time since the accident, and puckered his lips when his wife asked for a kiss, doctors said Friday.

Randal McCloy Jr., 26, came out of a coma and moved to a rehabilitation center this week.

"In this business of taking care of severe head injuries, little things make us happy," Dr. Julian Bailes said.

Whether McCloy will be able to speak when his breathing tube is removed depends on the extent of the brain damage he suffered from carbon monoxide during his 41 hours trapped underground, Bailes said.